DOCSLIB.ORG

Bear Hazard Assessment Report Port Alberni, British Columbia Bear Smart Community Program, Phase I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bear Hazard Assessment Report Port Alberni, British Columbia Bear Smart Community Program, Phase I Bear Hazard Assessment Report Port Alberni, British Columbia Bear Smart Community Program, Phase I November 2007 Prepared for City of Port Alberni 4850 Argyle Street Port Alberni BC V9Y 1V8 Phone: 250-720-2810 [email protected] Prepared by Maggie M. Paquet 5232A Margaret Street Port Alberni, BC V9Y 6J2 Phone: 250-723-8802 [email protected] Acknowledgements The writer received input and assistance from District Conservation Officer Ben York and CO Mike Stern, particularly with respect to obtaining data on bear-people conflicts in and surrounding the City of Port Alberni. Thanks to Ben and Mike, too, for their support in making presentations to the Port Alberni City Council on the status of bear-people conflicts in the city. The writer also thanks Port Alberni Mayor and City Councillors for approving the application to the Conservation Officer Service, Bear Smart Community Program for the funding for this report. City Clerk Russell Dyson was most helpful in the administration of this project. Cara Foden, Planning Technician in the Planning Department, was generous with her time and expertise in providing me with city maps; I am grateful for her heroic efforts to produce the bear-sightings maps contained in this report. Other city staff and school district employees also contributed to the report. Many thanks go to Greg Freethy at ADSS, and two student assistants, Kristy Aikman and Marinka Kurucz, for helping me map the bear-people conflict reports. I would also like to thank a handful of Port Alberni residents who freely contributed their stories about their experiences with bears (even when some of those calls came in the middle of the night!). I’d also like to thank Bear Smart Communities Coordinator Mike Badry of the BC Ministry of Environment, Wildlife Branch, who provided information and advice. I would like to acknowledge the expertise and advice contained in the report: “Bear Smart” Community Program: Background Report, by Helen Davis, Debbie Wellwood, and Lana Ciarniello; and in the report Hazard Assessment of Bear-Human Conflict in Stewart, British Columbia—Phase 1, by Debbie Wellwood, RPBio, Raven Ecological Services, Smithers, BC. As well, the MSc Thesis of Helen Davis, Characteristics and Selection of Winter Dens by Black Bears in Coastal British Columbia, 1996, also informed this report. Ms. Davis’ thesis offered considerable insight into the behaviours and habitat requirements of black bears on Vancouver Island, which are a subspecies of North American black bears distinct from the subspecies found on mainland BC. Bear biologist Wayne McCrory (RPBio), of McCrory Wildlife Services, New Denver, BC, continues to mentor my work in this field. For his advice, assistance, and moral support, I am truly grateful. Sean Sharpe, RPBio, of the BC Environment Ministry, Prince George, also continues to review my work and offer advice and support, for which I thank him from the bottom of my heart. Most of the photos in this report are by the writer. Others were borrowed from other reports with permission from the Bear Aware Coordinator (Lions Bay-Norma Rodgers and Lawrence Ruskin, Coquitlam-Drake Stephens, Squamish-Kris Hopping, Sunshine Coast-John Kelly and Lisa Waldie). Maggie Paquet, Port Alberni, BC Disclaimer Maggie Paquet gathered the research and prepared this document. It has been done in accordance with the BC Bear Smart Community Program guidelines for a bear hazard assessment. While it contains the best possible information available for the City of Port Alberni, no liability is assumed with respect to the use and application of the information contained herein. Cover photos: View up Argyle Street from Harbour Quay, Credit: M Paquet. Inset: Crepuscular (at dusk or early dawn) behaviour of local bear, Credit: Emma Colyn. Port Alberni Bear Hazard Assessment November 2007 ii Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. ii Summary ..............................................................................................................................................v Priority Recommendations .........................................................................................................vii Introduction To The Bear Smart Community Program Criteria For Communities...................................................................................................................1 A Two-Phase Process...........................................................................................................................1 Goals of the Port Alberni Bear Hazard Assessment.........................................................................3 Bear-Human Interaction Definitions .................................................................................................4 The Bear Hazard Assessment: Bear Smart Status Review for City of Port Alberni 1.0 STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................................5 1.1 Port Alberni Background and History ..................................................................................5 1.2 Ecological Description of Study Area ..................................................................................7 1.2.1 Coast & Mountains Ecoprovince—Western Vancouver Island Ecoregion, Windward Island Mountains Ecosection .................................................................7 1.2.2 Georgia Depression Ecoprovince—Eastern Vancouver Island Ecoregion,7 Leeward Island Mountains Ecosection....................................................................7 1.2.3 Biogeoclimatic Zone Classifications in the Study Area ..........................................7 1.3 Regional, Provincial, National, and International Contexts ...............................................10 2.0 STUDY APPROACH AND METHODS................................................................................11 2.1 Study Approach ..................................................................................................................11 2.2 Methods ..............................................................................................................................11 2.2.1 Descriptions of assessment and evaluation methods .............................................13 2.2.2 Problem analysis methods .....................................................................................14 3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION...............................................................................................14 3.1 Ecology of Black Bears ......................................................................................................14 3.2 Data Limitations .................................................................................................................17 3.3 Habitats and General Distribution of Bear Attractants in City of Port Alberni..................18 3.3.1 Bear plant foods found in the study area ...............................................................19 3.3.2 Natural vs non-natural attractants..........................................................................21 3.4 Reports of Complaints to Conservation Officer Service ....................................................22 3.4.1 Complaints by neighbourhood hotspots and attractant..........................................27 3.4.2 Patterns and trends revealed by the data................................................................29 3.4.3 Complaints in prior years.......................................................................................30 3.5 Specific Hazards and Potential Risks (Hazard Ratings) .....................................................30 3.5.1 Surveys of parks ....................................................................................................30 3.5.2 Surveys of schools .................................................................................................41 3.5.3 Surveys of select residential and commercial locations ........................................47 3.5.4 Survey at Ahahswinis, Hupacasath First Nation Reserve......................................54 3.6 Discussion of Public Information and Education Activities...............................................55 3.7 Discussion of Waste Management Practices ......................................................................56 3.8 Discussion of Bylaws .........................................................................................................59 3.9 Discussion of Official Community Plan and Development Policies ..................................59 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS .........................................................................................................60 5.0 CONCLUSION .........................................................................................................................64 6.0 EXPLANATORY NOTES.......................................................................................................66 6.1 Ecosystem Classification Systems......................................................................................66 6.2 Waste Management Companies and Equipment ................................................................68 Port Alberni Bear Hazard Assessment November 2007 iii 7.0 LIST OF CONTACTS .............................................................................................................73 8.0 LITERATURE
Load more

Recommended publications
  • An Examination of Nuu-Chah-Nulth Culture History
    SINCE KWATYAT LIVED ON EARTH: AN EXAMINATION OF NUU-CHAH-NULTH CULTURE HISTORY Alan D. McMillan B.A., University of Saskatchewan M.A., University of British Columbia THESIS SUBMI'ITED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the Department of Archaeology O Alan D. McMillan SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY January 1996 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: Alan D. McMillan Degree Doctor of Philosophy Title of Thesis Since Kwatyat Lived on Earth: An Examination of Nuu-chah-nulth Culture History Examining Committe: Chair: J. Nance Roy L. Carlson Senior Supervisor Philip M. Hobler David V. Burley Internal External Examiner Madonna L. Moss Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon External Examiner Date Approved: krb,,,) 1s lwb PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENSE I hereby grant to Simon Fraser University the right to lend my thesis, project or extended essay (the title of which is shown below) to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. I further agree that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by me or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission.
    [Show full text]
  • Reduced Annualreport1972.Pdf
    PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND CONSERVATION HON. ROBERT A. WILLIAMS, Minister LLOYD BROOKS, Deputy Minister REPORT OF THE Department of Recreation and Conservation containing the reports of the GENERAL ADMINISTRATION, FISH AND WILDLIFE BRANCH, PROVINCIAL PARKS BRANCH, BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL MUSEUM, AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES BRANCH Year Ended December 31 1972 Printed by K. M. MACDONALD, Printer to tbe Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in right of the Province of British Columbia. 1973 \ VICTORIA, B.C., February, 1973 To Colonel the Honourable JOHN R. NICHOLSON, P.C., O.B.E., Q.C., LLD., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: Herewith I beg respectfully to submit the Annual Report of the Department of Recreation and Conservation for the year ended December 31, 1972. ROBERT A. WILLIAMS Minister of Recreation and Conservation 1_) VICTORIA, B.C., February, 1973 The Honourable Robert A. Williams, Minister of Recreation and Conservation. SIR: I have the honour to submit the Annual Report of the Department of Recreation and Conservation for the year ended December 31, 1972. LLOYD BROOKS Deputy Minister of Recreation and Conservation CONTENTS PAGE Introduction by the Deputy Minister of Recreation and Conservation_____________ 7 General Administration_________________________________________________ __ ___________ _____ 9 Fish and Wildlife Branch____________ ___________________ ________________________ _____________________ 13 Provincial Parks Branch________ ______________________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Legends of Vancouver Island Alfred Carmichael
    Indian Legends of Vancouver Island Alfred Carmichael Project Gutenberg's Indian Legends of Vancouver Island, by Alfred Carmichael This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: Indian Legends of Vancouver Island Author: Alfred Carmichael Release Date: January 3, 2005 [EBook #9459] Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INDIAN LEGENDS OF VANCOUVER ISLAND *** Produced by Andrew Sly and the online Distributed Proofing team. INDIAN LEGENDS OF VANCOUVER ISLAND TEXT BY ALFRED CARMICHAEL ILLUSTRATED BY J. SEMEYN BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION The unsophisticated aboriginal of British Columbia is almost a memory of the past. He leaves no permanent monument, no ruins of former greatness. His original habitation has long given place to the frame house of sawn timber, and with the exception of the carvings in black slate made by the Hydah Indians of the Queen Charlotte Islands, and the stone hammers, spear and arrow points, fashioned in the days before the coming of the white man, the mementos of his sojourn in British Columbia are only relics in wood, bark or reeds. In the Alberni District of Vancouver Island there are two tribes of Indians, the Seshaht and the Opitchesaht. During the winter season the Seshahts live in a village which occupies a beautiful and commanding site on the west bank of the Somass River.
    [Show full text]
  • Affidavit of Carolyne Brenda Sayers
    Court File No. T-153-13 FEDERAL COURT BETWEEN: HUPACASATH FIRST NATION APPLICANT - and- THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CANADA as represented by THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA RESPONDENT APPLICA TION UNDER THE FEDERAL COURTS ACT, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-7, s. 18.1 AFFIDAVIT OF CAROL YNE BRENDA SAYERS I, CAROL YNE BRENDA SAYERS, Council Member, of 5110 Indian Avenue, of the City of Port Albemi, Province of British Columbia, SWEAR THAT: 1. I am an elected Council member of the Hupacasath First Nation, and as such have personal knowledge of the facts and matters hereinafter deposed to, save and except where same are stated to be made on information and belief, and where so stated, I verily believe them to be true. The Hupacasath First Nation is also known as the Hupacasath Indian Band and formerly known as the Opetchesaht Indian Band. The Hupacasath Indian Band, is a "band" within the meaning of the term defined in the Indian Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1-5 (the "Indian Ad'). 2. The Hupacasath Chief and Council represent approximately 285 band members and all band members are Indians as that term is defined by the Indian Act. I am a member of the Hupacasath First Nation and as such have knowledge of our territory, history, use of our territory and the exercise of our rights. - 2 - 3. I am authorized by the Chief and Council to swear this affidavit on behalf of the Hupacasath First Nation. 4. The Hupacasath territory consists of approximately 232,000 hectares in and beyond the Alberni Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
    [Show full text]
  • 250-724-4050 250-724-3225 Automotiveautomotiveautomotive AUTO Collision & Glass
    3800 Johnston Rd, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 5N7 Phone: (250) 723-3541 www.pacificchevrolet.com As Proud Community Partners, Van Isle Ford and Pacific Chevrolet feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back to this great community we all call home. Since January of 2013 $50 from every vehicle sold gets donated to local charities, non-profits and community events, to date we have donated over $200,000. Thank you for choosing Pacific Chevrolet Buick GMC or Van Isle Ford for your automotive needs, your support and patronage is greatly appreciated. -Will and Chelsey Pulford If you are looking for a free quote from a fully insured, locally owned Tree Service 4831 Beaver Creek Rd, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 7E1 Phone: (250) 724-6577 www.vanisleford.com call Dave and his team of Certified Utility Arborists and Certified Fallers 250 730 7770 Exploring the Your locally owned Family Alberni Valley operated Tree Service If you are looking for a free quote from a fully insured, locally owned Tree Service call Dave and his team of Certified Utility Arborists and Certified Fallers 250 730 7770 Valley Vibe Spring 2020 3 Letter From the Editor Megan Warrender Every issue I learn something new about our community. I am always on a constant treasure hunt seeing what next hidden gem I will discover that Port Alberni has. Going into spring I could not think of something better than bringing you on that treasure hunt with me. This issue of the Valley Vibe magazine has many “must see and do’s” in Port Alberni – whether you’re travelling through Port www.thevalleyvibe.ca Alberni, new to the community, or a long time resident – Instagram.com/thevalleyvibepa there is always something new to see and do.
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Legends of Vancouver Island Alfred Carmichael
    Indian Legends of Vancouver Island Alfred Carmichael Project Gutenberg's Indian Legends of Vancouver Island, by Alfred Carmichael This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: Indian Legends of Vancouver Island Author: Alfred Carmichael Release Date: January 3, 2005 [EBook #9459] Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INDIAN LEGENDS OF VANCOUVER ISLAND *** Produced by Andrew Sly and the online Distributed Proofing team. Livros Grátis http://www.livrosgratis.com.br Milhares de livros grátis para download. INDIAN LEGENDS OF VANCOUVER ISLAND TEXT BY ALFRED CARMICHAEL ILLUSTRATED BY J. SEMEYN BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION The unsophisticated aboriginal of British Columbia is almost a memory of the past. He leaves no permanent monument, no ruins of former greatness. His original habitation has long given place to the frame house of sawn timber, and with the exception of the carvings in black slate made by the Hydah Indians of the Queen Charlotte Islands, and the stone hammers, spear and arrow points, fashioned in the days before the coming of the white man, the mementos of his sojourn in British Columbia are only relics in wood, bark or reeds. In the Alberni District of Vancouver Island there are two tribes of Indians, the Seshaht and the Opitchesaht. During the winter season the Seshahts live in a village which occupies a beautiful and commanding site on the west bank of the Somass River.
    [Show full text]
  • Recovery Strategy for the Northern Goshawk Laingi Subspecies (Accipiter Gentilis Laingi) in Canada
    Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series Adopted under Section 44 of SARA Recovery Strategy for the Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies (Accipiter gentilis laingi) in Canada Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies 2018 Recommended citation: Parks Canada Agency. 2018. Recovery Strategy for the Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies (Accipiter gentilis laingi) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. 2 parts, 34 pp. + Appendices + 56 pp. For copies of the recovery strategy, or for additional information on species at risk, including COSEWIC Status Reports, residence descriptions, action plans, and other related recovery documents, please visit the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry1. Cover illustration: Ross Vennesland (adult female Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis laingi, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia). Également disponible en français sous le titre « Programme de rétablissement de l’Autour des palombes de la sous-espèce laingi (Accipiter gentilis laingi) au Canada » © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 2018. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-660-02401-1 Catalogue no. En3-4/197-2018E-PDF Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source. 1 http://sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=24F7211B-1 RECOVERY STRATEGY FOR THE NORTHERN GOSHAWK LAINGI SUBSPECIES (Accipiter gentilis laingi) IN CANADA 2018 Under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996), the federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories agreed to work together on legislation, programs, and policies to protect wildlife species at risk throughout Canada. In the spirit of cooperation of the Accord, the Government of British Columbia has given permission to the Government of Canada to adopt the Recovery Strategy for the Northern Goshawk, laingi subspecies (Accipiter gentilis laingi) in British Columbia (Part 2) under Section 44 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
    [Show full text]
  • Sproat Lake Official Community Plan
    Sproat Lake Official Community Plan Bylaw No. P1310, Schedule A Adopted: June 11, 2014 Sproat Lake OCP, Adopted: June 11, 2014 Page ii Sproat Lake Official Community Plan, Bylaw No. P1310 Table of Contents PART I – BACKGROUND ................................................................................................. 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 1.1 Plan Preparation ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Purpose of the Official Community Plan .................................................................................. 1 1.3 Legislative Authority ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Jurisdiction ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Structure of the Plan ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.6 The Plan Area ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.7 Definitions ..................................................................................................................................... 5 PART II – GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES ................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sproat Lake 2005 - 2009
    BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program Sproat Lake 2005 - 2009 A partnership between the BC Lake Stewardship Society and the Ministry of Environment The Importance of Sproat Lake & its Watershed British Columbians want lakes to provide good water quality, shed’s capacity to buffer impacts and absorb pollution. aesthetics, and recreational opportunities. When these features Every component of a watershed (vegetation, soil, wildlife, etc.) are not apparent in our local lakes, people begin to wonder why. has an important function in maintaining good water quality and a Concerns often include whether the water quality is getting healthy aquatic environment. It is a common misconception that worse, if the lake has been impacted by land development or detrimental land use practices will not impact water quality if they other human activities, and what conditions will result from more are kept away from the area immediately surrounding a water- development within the watershed. body. Poor land use practices in a watershed can eventually im- pact the water quality of the downstream environment. The BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment (MoE), has designed a pro- Human activities that impact water bodies range from small but gram, entitled The BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Pro- widespread and numerous non-point sources throughout the wa- gram, to address these concerns. Through regular water sample tershed to large point sources of concentrated pollution (e.g. collections, we can come to understand a lake's current water waste discharge outfalls, spills, etc). Undisturbed watersheds have quality, identify the preferred uses for a given lake, and monitor the ability to purify water and repair small amounts of damage water quality changes resulting from land development within the from pollution and alterations.
    [Show full text]
  • Alberni Valley Corps 4835 Argyle St
    Embracing Tech Gadgets to Streamline Your Workday There are some excellent high-tech office behind your desk to charge your devices. supplies available that could simplify your day- 3. Vertical Cube Mountable Power Strip. to-day tasks as a business owner. Sure, some are in the “nice to have” category, but there are This will help you save valuable time and definitely some “need to have” tools available energy by avoiding untangling messy cables today that could really brighten your workday. and cords whenever you need to find a free outlet. This device easily mounts under your Here are five important office supplies that desk, ensuring power is always within reach. could help instantly make your workspace more user friendly – and enjoyable – during 4. Reusable Smart Notebook those long hours dedicated to your craft: This offers the convenience of an old-school notebook and pen with a modern twist. 1. Large Monitor or Multiple Monitors It not only helps conserve space but also There are extra large monitors available that saves paper. can replace multiple monitor use, but it all 5. Temperature Control Smart Mug comes down to personal preference. The goal This ingenious device will prevent frequent is to be able to put priority on productivity trips to the kitchen in order to microwave your and efficiency by maximizing your visual coffee or tea that has gotten cold because workspace. You’ll be able to use multiple you’ve been diligently working away. This programs in multiple tabs at the same time, smart gadget features a heating element that which can help shave time off your day – and keeps your drink of choice warm no matter even your eyes will thank you.
    [Show full text]
  • Fossli, Taylor Arm, Sproat Lake Master Plan
    FOSSLI, TAYLOR ARM, SPROAT LAKE MASTER PLAN December, 1988 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOSSLI, TAYLOR ARM, SPROAT LAKE MASTER PLAN Page 1.0 PLAN HIGHLIGHTS ..................................................................................................... 1 2.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 2 2.1 Plan Purpose ..................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Background Summary ..................................................................................................... 2 3.0 THE ROLE OF THE PARK ........................................................................................... 3 3.1 Regional/Provincial Context ..........................................................................................3 3.2 Conservation Role ........................................................................................................... 5 3.3 Recreation Role ................................................................................................................ 5 4.0 ZONING ............................................................................................................................ 7 5.0 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ............................11 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 11 5.2 Management Objectives/Actions/Policies ...................................................................11
    [Show full text]
  • Copy of Final HFN Land Use Plan 2003
    T E R R I T O R Y L A N D U S E P L A N HUPACASATH FIRST NATION JUNE 2003 Hupacasath First Nation TERRITORY LAND USE PLAN PART A: BACKGROUND 1.0 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................1 1.1 Purpose of the Hupacasath Land Use Plan..............................................................1 1.2 Qualification of Hupacasath Land Use Plan ……………………………………………….4 2.0 HUPACASATH LANDS AND RESOURCES ...............................................................5 2.1 Location ................................................................................................................5 2.2 Land and Resources ..............................................................................................5 2.3 Salmon Resources.................................................................................................6 2.4 Forest Resources...................................................................................................8 2.5 Plants and Wildlife Resources...............................................................................13 2.6 Tourism + Recreation Resources ..........................................................................16 2.7 Water and Mineral Resources...............................................................................17 3.0 STATEMENT OF LAND AND RESOURCE OWNERSHIP..........................................17 3.1 Statement of Aboriginal Rights and Title ................................................................17
    [Show full text]